Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
Ron Paul Blimp Poised to Catapult Presidential Candidate into the Spotlight?
Ron Paul's devoted supporters seem to be intent on outdoing themselves in creativity when it comes to fundraising for their candidate.
by Colette von Hessen
(conservative libertarian)
Friday, November 23, 2007
Is Ron Paul ready to be airborne again? First there was the Manhattan rooftop emblazoned with the words "GOOGLE RON PAUL" in the hopes that passing aircraft would notice and take heed. Then there were the airplanes flying by with "Ron Paul for President!" on banners flying saucily in the sun. Now there is the Ron Paul Blimp.
Organizers contacted Airship Management Services in Connecticut and were delighted to find that George Spyrou, whom they spoke to, was a Ron Paul supporter himself. They found that they will need to raise approximately $350,000 in order to lease the blimp for one month. A recent donor to the project indicated that she had just given $500 and was very excited to do so, stating that this was a great opportunity for Ron Paul supporters who have already given the maximum amount allowed by law of $2300. Mr. Spyrou offered the group a discount off the artwork for the blimp at the hefty sum of $50,000 to $100,000.
The blimp is one of the largest in the world, and flies at an average speed of about 30 miles per hour. It holds 12 passengers in addition to two pilots, and includes a restroom. Adding further excitement to the equation, all those who donate at least $25 towards the blimp are automatically eligible to be entered in a raffle for one of 20 tickets to ride the in the Ron Paul Blimp. Those donating $5,000 get 5 flying days in the blimp.
The creators of the Ron Paul Blimp website offer would-be donors all manner of tantalizing scenarios in order to entice them to give to the blimp fund:
"A blimp? A blimp!
Imagine..the mainstream media is mesmerized as the image of the Ron Paul blimp is shown to tens of millions of Americans throughout the day (and throughout the month). Wolf Blizter, stunned and as if in a trance, repeats the words "Amazing, Amazing".
As GPS co-ordinates stream to the website a map shows the Ron Paul blimp's location in real time. The local Television stations broadcast it's every move. The curious flock together and make a trip see history in the making. Emails with pictures are sent, then forwarded, then forwarded again. Youtube videos go viral and reach tens of millions of views. Ron Paul becomes the first presidential candidate in history to have his very own blimp. The PR stunt generates millions upon millions of dollars worth in free publicity, and captures the imagination of America."
Given the recent (and future) successes of such grassroots campaigning successes as the Fifth of November, the ad placed by a single self-described "concerned citizen" in USA Today, and Tea Party '07, the Ron Paul Blimp seems sure to ride the skies in no time.
©2007 Colette von Hessen, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Friday, November 23, 2007
Last modified: Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The views expressed in this article are those of Colette von Hessen only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Colette von Hessen is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: Neil
Date: 2007-11-23 21:06:18
Your tags for the airplane banner image in the article aren't properly closed or something. Bottom line: the link doesn't work.
Feel free to delete this post once the link works. Ron Paul 2008!!
Posted By: Jay Davis
Date: 2007-11-24 01:12:26
Thanks so much for this article Colette. I'm the rare Paulite, I suppose, in that I don't blog or comment much. My grandmother always told me, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it." Well, I have nothing but nice things to say about your article. It made my day. In fact, I just pledged to donate $100 to Paul's campaign on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Feels good to be a part of history. Thanks again for the inspiration.
Posted By: Jerry Collette
Date: 2007-11-24 03:17:27
Here are some great concept pics.
http://ronpaulideas.com/blimp.htm
Posted By: Eric N.
Date: 2007-11-24 20:19:45
This is a fantastic idea for high-profile exposure. I'm in and I sincerely hope we can get enough supporters to see this through.
Very creative indeed and just an excellent opportunity for the movement.
Ron Paul '08!
It's the American thing to do.
Posted By: LibertyAddict
Date: 2007-11-25 06:52:18
Great! Is it legal for this to donate from outside the US? Can someone please confirm this with the FEC?
Posted By: David
Date: 2007-11-25 10:31:24
Of course it's legal. The blimp promotion is not connected to the official campaign in any way. It's the same as if you called your local newspaper and placed an advertisement for car, a job, or anything else, including Ron Paul.
Posted By: Paige - St. Paul
Date: 2007-11-27 13:16:32
I CANNOT WAIT TO SHOW CNN, CBS, NBC, MSNBC AND THIS ENTIRE PLANET THAT WE, THE PEOPLE, DON'T NEED YOU TO TELL US WE ARE A "FRONTRUNNER". ONE WHO LAUGHS LOUDEST, LAUGHS LAST!!!!!! GO RON PAUL.......!!!!! THE WORLD LOVES YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE TO SPEAK FOR US!!!!
Posted By: Glen
Date: 2007-12-02 07:44:08
Just doanted for the Blimp, and will donate my $100 for the TeaParty on th 16th.
But a Blimp and a TeaParty will not elect Dr. Paul. We MUST become delegates in each of our states, thats how you WIN!
Posted By: Michael
Date: 2007-12-07 14:12:32
Great article I am looking forward to seeing the Ron Paul blimp in action.
Posted By: Kevin Smith
Date: 2007-12-08 07:51:25
This just proves that Freedom is popular and the people do know what freedom is. Ron Paul supporters are some of the most well informed voters. We know what Ron knows, that liberty is best measured by the limits we the people put on government. God Bless Ron Paul and this campaign.
Posted By: Norm Simpers Jr.
Date: 2007-12-11 19:57:41
The more people find out about Ron Paul the more they LOVE him. The more people find about most politicians the LESS likely they become to vote for them. Ron Paul = a Modern Day Thomas Jefferson!! This is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME opportunity people,PLEASE DO NOT WASTE your vote on the same old politics of FEAR ,WAR,RACIAL DIVISION and HATRED!! VOTE Ron Paul for a NEW AMERICAN CENTURY!!
Posted By: Jon Powel
Date: 2007-12-12 06:04:15
We have set fire to the brothel of political/foreign agent/corporate debauchery. The smoke and flames are rising and the rats are squealing already! Freedom lovers, true Americans, tax slaves, bring marsmallows on a stick and enjoy the flames of freedom. The neo-cons and neo-libs are squealing "One if my land, two if by sea, three if by blimp!"
Posted By: nicopablo
Date: 2007-12-13 10:29:33
Don't fool yourselfs the blimp is just the start!! Main Stream media seems to think it's more powerful than the people themselves. But alas they are wrong because Truth and Fairness always win out in the end. This is just the beginning of the Ron Paul Revolution!! You ain't seem nothin yet!! There's a lot more to come